Common Style/Grammar Errors

1
Common Style/Grammar Errors

• Avoid these at all costs!

2
Too Much Passive Voice

• Sentences in active voice are usually easier to
  understand than those in passive voice because
  active-voice constructions indicate clearly the
  performer of the action expressed in the verb. In
  addition, changing from passive voice to active
  often results in a more concise sentence. So use
  active voice unless you have good reason to use
  the passive. For example, the passive is useful
  when you don't want to call attention to the
  doer when the doer is obvious, unimportant, or
  unknown.

3
Too Much Passive Voice

• A decision was reached to postpone the vote.
• The committee decided to postpone the vote.

4
Too many to be verbs

• When possible, avoid using forms of be as the
  main verbs in your sentences and clauses. Instead
  of using a be verb, focus on the actions you wish
  to express, and choose the appropriate verbs.

5
Too many to be verbs

• One difference between television news reporting
  and the coverage provided by newspapers is the
  time factor between the actual happening of an
  event and the time it takes to be reported. The
  problem is that instantaneous coverage is
  physically impossible for newspapers.
• Television news reporting differs from that of
  newspapers in that television, unlike newspapers,
  can provide instantaneous coverage of events as
  they happen.

6
Avoid unclear pronoun references

• Larissa worked in a national forest last summer,
  which may be her career choice.
• Larissa worked in a national forest last summer
  forest management may be her career
  choice.Larissa worked in a national forest last
  summer, and she may choose a forest management
  career.

7
Use parallel construction

• In Florida, where the threat of hurricanes is an
  annual event, we learned that it is important (1)
  to become aware of the warning signs. (2) There
  are precautions to take, and (3) deciding when to
  take shelter is important.
• In Florida, where the threat of hurricanes is an
  annual event, we learned that it is important (1)
  to become aware of the warning signs, (2) to know
  what precautions to take, and (3) to decide when
  to seek shelter.

8
Use parallel construction (verbs)

• We had a really great weekend, riding bikes all
  over the city, cooking all kinds of good food,
  and took long walks at night.
• We had a really great weekend, riding bikes all
  over the city, cooking all kinds of good food,
  and taking long walks at night.

9
Avoid comma splices

• I got up late this morning, I didn't have time
  for breakfast. (bad)
• I got up late this morning. I didn't have time
  for breakfast. (good)
• I got up late this morning I didn't have time
  for breakfast. (good)
• I got up late this morning, so I didn't have time
  for breakfast. (good)
• I got up late this morning, and I didn't have
  time for breakfast. (good)